Final Post

This will be my final post for this blog.  It's been a fun blog to write.  A post went up nearly every day for the last 5 years.  The blog started January 1, 2012.  It officially ended Dec 19, 2016.  There was a total of 1,810 posts.

This blog started off as an attempt to engage people in discipleship style thinking every day.  My hope is that it continued to do that throughout its life.  As the blog continued, it also became my own personal commentary on the New Testament.  That goal was achieved as well.  You can use the "Books Studied" tab at the top of the page to find a link to the first blog post on any book in the New Testament.  You can also use the History widget on the right side of the screen to locate a specific set of verses if you know the approximate date that I studied each book.

I will leave these posts up for as long as allowed.  Please continue to use them as needed.

Revelation 22:17-21

Revelation 22:17-21

And the spirit and the bride say, “Come.”  And let the one who hears say, “Come.”  And let the one who thirsts come.  And let the one who wishes freely take the water of life.  I witness to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book.  If someone should place upon them, God will place upon them the plagues that have been written in this book.  And if someone should remove from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will remove his share from the of life and out of the holy city that has been written in this book.  The one who witnesses these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.”  Amen, come Lord Jesus.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone.

 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this final passage of the New Testament, we get to hear the famous “Come” passages.  There are two ways to take these words.  The first, and most straightforward, is that the followers of Christ are speaking the message for Christ to come quickly.  This is certainly possible.  If this is the intent of the meaning, then it is our response to this message of hope found in the book of Revelation.  However, it is entirely possible that the followers of Christ are repeating the message that they have heard from God.  Instead of this being a call for Christ to come quickly, it is their acknowledgement that they have been called to come into the presence of God in the first place.  We simply don’t know which is the case, although the simpler reading is the first scenario.  In either case, we can see that the proper position for humanity to take is in response to God’s leading.

Do you desire the return of Christ to happen as soon as possible?  How have you responded to God’s call in your life?

Second Thought:

Next, we hear the warning against altering the words in this book.  We should not take this warning too literally, especially knowing the context of this book.  Remember that in the ancient world all copies were done by hand.  It was common that warnings such as this would be placed at the end of books so that those who are copying would have a final reminder to make sure that their efforts were reliable.  That being said we should take seriously the reason for such a warning.  God wants His message to go out into the world.  He wants people to hear a message of hope, especially those under persecution.  We should be a people who accurately give the message that God has called us to give.

Where does your life accurately reflect God’s desires for your life?  What are the aspects of your faith that ensure as much as possible that your life is being lived in such a manner?

Third Thought:

 I think that it is neat that the last words of this book are about grace.  In fact, the word grace in the Greek text is quite literally the word for grace.  The last thing that our Bible has to say is grace.  This is a profound message in its own right, but remember that Revelation is an apocalyptic message to a people who are in persecution.  Grace is what they need.  They have a great need for their fear to be taken away and cast out.  We all have a similar need to some degree.  Our persecution may not be as great, but we all need grace.  God’s grace is extended to all of us, if we will receive it.

How is God’s grace a part of your life?  How do you extend grace to the people around you?  Will the last word of the testimony of your life be grace?

Revelation 22:12-16

Revelation 22:12-16

“Look!  I come quickly, and my reward is with me to render back to each as is his work.  I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.  Blessed are the ones who wash their robes in order that their authority will be upon the tree of life and they should go into the gateways into the city.  Outside are the corruptors, the sorcerers, the fornicators, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and who does falsehood.  I, Jesus, sent my angel to witness these things to you upon the assemblies.  I am the root and the offspring of David – the shining and morning star.” 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The last speaker, and the speaker upon whom we will focus entirely today, is Jesus.  Jesus once more reminds us that He is coming quickly.  He also says that He is bringing payment for our deeds, each according to our work.  Once more we hear the message that there will be consequences.  While this message is intended to give all of us pause, it is intended to bring hope and reassurance to the lesser ones in society: those who are picked on, persecuted, tortured, rejected, and outcast.  This verse is more of a warning to those who oppress others than it is a generalized warning for all.  We can all take pause, of course.  But those who are actively seeking to oppress the followers of Christ should feel the most concern.

What do you think that it means when Christ says that He is coming quickly?  Having read through the book of Revelation, are you brought more fear or peace when you hear the promise of Christ to return?  Why is it healthy to feel a little of both?

Second Thought:

Next, we hear Jesus say that those who have washed their robes are to be blessed.  This truly is the key to mitigating the prior thought.  Yes, we can all pause and reflect how our deeds have led to sin.  We can certainly take stock in how our actions have not born out the fruit that God would desire from us.  But that is what repentance is for.  That is why Christ came to die.  When we are humble and acknowledge that our life is full of sinfulness, we are washing our robes in His blood.  When we acknowledge that God’s ways are better than our ways and try to live that out, we are demonstrating our desire – however imperfect – to imitate Christ.  These people, in spite of their imperfection, will be granted entrance into the holy city in order to dwell with God forever.

How does this message from Christ reveal God’s grace and mercy?  How does this passage reveal that God does desire us to respond, even though He did the work of salvation all by Himself?

Third Thought:

Lastly, we have the warning of judgment upon those who do not repent.  They will be banned from the New Jerusalem.  The list of sinful behaviors is nearly identical to the list that we saw in Revelation 21:8.  There will be consequences.  There will be judgment.  Not all people will find admission into life with God.  We do all indeed have free will.  In the end those who are unable to humble themselves before God will not find access to dwell in the presence of God.  Rather than have God’s perfection to sustain them, they will have their sinfulness to keep them company.

When you think about such an existence, what emotions do you feel?  Why do you think that God will not allow all people into His presence, especially since we are all guilty of sin? 

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 22:17-21

Revelation 22:6-11

Revelation 22:6-11

And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.  And the Lord God of the spirits and prophets sent forth his angel to point out to his slaves what is necessary to become in short order.”  “And look!  I come quickly.  Blessed are the ones who keep the words of the prophecy of this book.”  And I, John, am the one who hears and who sees these things.  And when I heard and saw, I fell down to bow down to worship before the feet of the angel who pointed out these things to me.  And he said to me, “Do not see.  I am your fellow slave and of your brothers the prophets and of the ones who keep the words of this book.  Bow down to worship God.  And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.  Let the one who is unjust still be unjust.  And let the defiled one still be defiled.  And let the righteous one still do righteousness.  And let the holy one still be holy.” 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

For the next few days, we’ll be studying these back and forth speaking passages.  Jesus and the angel take turns giving messages to John.  It can be rather confusing to remember who is speaking, but if we focus on the content of the message we’ll do fine.  The first speaker is the angel that has been guiding John around.  This angel reminds us that God’s words are faithful and true.  In other words, we can trust God.  We can place our faith in Him and know that He will live up to His promises.  We also are reminded by this angel that these words were given to the people in order that they should know that an end is coming.  Even in a symbolic vision such as this, they cannot know the future exactly.  But they can have hope that an end is coming.  They can have hope that there is a promise of eternal life which is reliably believed.  In this, we are reminded once more that this is an apocalyptic message designed to bring hope to the people.

Do you ever have moments of doubt as to how you can be sure that God’s promises can be trusted?  If so, how do you overcome such doubt?  How does a book like Revelation show us that in most people those moments of doubt are actually quite common?

Second Thought:

The next speaker that we hear is Jesus.  He promises to come quickly.  He also offers up a blessing upon the people who keep the words of the Lord.  In other words, the blessed followers of Christ are the ones who keep an eye on obedience.  The best followers of Christ are the ones who are humbly willing to put their own desires to death and instead fulfill the passions of Christ and the Father.

Why is it important to realize that some of the last words of Christ in this book are about obedience?  How does this match up with the last words of Christ after the resurrection, when He came to earth the first time?

Third Thought:

The third speaker is the angel again.  In the angel’s speech we get two very curious messages.  In the first one, we get a reversal of the typical “Seal up this vision” message.  John is told to not seal up this vision.  While there are some parts of our future that God does not want revealed to us, He absolutely does want the final state of human existence revealed!  God wants us to be able to hope for a blessed future dwelling with Him!  The second message is even more curious.  The angel speaks about human beings remaining in their same state, for better or for worse.  What the angel is saying here is that some people will never change.  Furthermore, God will not force them to change.  There will be some people who hear the Word of God and feel conviction bite them deeply.  Their lives will change and they will give fruit of their faith.  There are other people, who even after hearing about the greatness of eternal life with our creator, who will not change their ways.  They will continue in sin.  In other words, the angel is telling John that you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.  Neither is God willing to force such a person to drink.  God will not remove our free will.

Why do you think some people have an open heart and are willing to repent?  Why are some people stubborn in their ways and not even interested in repentance?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 22:12-16

Revelation 22:1-5

Revelation 22:1-5

And he pointed out to me a river of the water of life- clear as crystal – which went out of the throne of God and of the lamb.  In the middle of its broad street and on each side of the river is the tree of life, which makes twelve fruits and which renders back its fruit according to each month.  And the leaves of the tree are into the healing of the nations.  And everything will not still be cursed.  And the throne of God and of the lamb will be in it and his slaves will serve him.  And they will see His face and His name will be upon their foreheads.  And night will still not be.  And they do not have a need of the light of a lamp and of the light of the sun since the Lord God will shine upon them and they will rule into the eras of the eras.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this last chapter, we do what we’ve been expecting to do all chapter.  Now we get to fully look into the future and see what eternal life is going to be like.  Don’t forget that this is apocalyptic book.  John is still trying to send a message of hope to the people currently living under persecution.  When we look fully into eternal life, what is the picture that we see?  We see a river flowing out of the throne of God.  Take a moment and read Ezekiel 47.  In that chapter we get the picture that John is likely drawing off.  This is the river of life.  This is the sustaining power of God, because it flows directly out of the throne!  But there is a really neat symbolic understanding here.  It is most commonly thought that this river of life imagery is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.  You will notice that as we read through the rest of this chapter that the Father and Son are mentioned all over the place, but the Holy Spirit is quite left out.  I believe that John has left this River of Life imagery in this retelling to remind us that it is God’s Spirit, which comes out of His presence from the throne, that goes into all of the world and sustains us.  We can live with God only because He has chosen to bring His Spirit to us and let it flow out of Him.

How do you experience the Spirit of God?  How do you talk about God’s Spirit to the people around you?

Second Thought:

The river of life gives the tree of life its ability to fruit.  Do you notice that there are twelve fruits?  While it is certainly possible to think about this tree giving a different kind of fruit for each month, remember that this is a symbolic book.  I believe what John is getting at is that there we all have a broad range of needs.  We all have a spectrum of ways that God can come into our life.  It is not like God comes to us the same every time.  It is not like our need of God is the same from person to person.  It is not like each individual person has the same need for God every day!  No, the reality is that we all have different needs.  God provides multiple fruit to sustain our whole life.  Having said this, I think that it is neat that John specifically points out that the leaves are for the healing of the nations.  In other words, we are reminded here that human beings can be incredibly mean to each other.  Our whole history is filled with stories of people who used other people to accomplish their own desires.  That is a particular need that God addresses specifically through this vision.  That is a particular need that we all share.

What harm have you done to others to accomplish your desires?  What harm has been done to you by others?  More generically, what are your needs that the fruit of the tree of life will sustain your life and help you find fullness?

Third Thought:

At the end of this section we get to hear that the curse will not be found there.  In other words, we will not experience death.  Naturally, this is true because God has dealt with both sin and death.  We talked about that several chapters ago when we spoke about the dragon and the beasts.  In the life to come, we do not need to fear death because the curse will be removed.  Even more, we will all belong to God.  We will be His slaves.  His name will be written upon our foreheads.  However, there is one huge element that John gives to us.  We will see His face.  God’s people will finally be able to be in face-to-face relationship with God.  We will be able to look upon Him and live!

What do you think it will be like to be in a face-to-ace relationship with the Father?  What do you think life will be like without the temptation and consequences of sin always at hand?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 22:6-10

Revelation 21:22-27

Revelation 21:22-27

And I did not see a temple in it, for the Lord the God the Almighty and the lamb is its temple.  And the city has no need of sun or moon in order that they should cause it to shine.  For the glory of God illuminated it and the lamb is its lamp.  And the nations walk around through its light and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it.  And its gateways should surely not be shut of the day, for there will not be night there.  And they will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.  And every profane thing and the one who makes something detestable and lies should surely not go into it – except the ones who have been written in book of life of the lamb.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

There is no need for a temple in the city.  God is His own temple.  This takes us back to the imagery from yesterday.  Remember that one of the symbolic points from yesterday is that Jerusalem is a square so that we are reminded of worship elements such as the altars of sacrifice and the Holy of Holies.  This truly fits in with the message from today.  There is no need for a temple because the city itself is the worship space!  There is no need for sacrifices because God Himself is the ultimate sacrifice.

What is this passage truly telling us about the temple of the Lord?  What is this passage teaching us about where those who are in Christ can and should worship?

Second Thought:

Furthermore, the city has no need for a light.  The gates will never be shut because it will never be night.  God will be its light.  As we continue on in the symbolic theme of this chapter, we can see that this point also makes sense.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He already had that designation when He came the first time.  Jesus is the truth of God.  In the world to come, when the current existence has been eliminated and we are in a new heaven and earth, we will only need the truth of God.  In fact, this makes another great symbolic point.  The only light our life needs, the only truth our world needs, is Christ.  He is sufficient.

Is Christ all that you need?  How is this truth able to be seen by others as they look into your life?

Third Thought:

Finally, we see that the nations will come and go.  At first, it sounds like this passage could be speaking about universal salvation.  After all, wouldn’t the nations mean all people?  It doesn’t actually.  Remember that at this point the nations have been judged.  Those who are not in Christ are no longer on the scene.  Those who remain are in Christ.  Therefore, what does this passage mean?  This passage is a huge passage for diversity.  People from every nation are welcome to dwell with God.  In the end, when only those who are in Christ remain, there will be people from all nations, all races, all colors.  John is trying to tell us that God is welcoming to all people who are willing to accept Him and His ways.

How do you experience God’s acceptance of people of all nationalities?  Do you have difficulty imitating this openness?  What does this teach us about the nature of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 22:1-5

Revelation 21:15-21

Revelation 21:15-21

And the one who calls out with me was having a golden measuring rod in order that he should measure the city, its gateways, and its walls.  And the city laid as a square and its length was as much as its breadth.  He measured the city by the rod upon 12,000 stadia.  The length and the breadth and its height was equal.  And he measured the wall itself: 144 cubits – a measure of a man, that is of the angel.  And the inside of its wall was jasper; the city was pure gold – of a similar nature to pure glass.  The foundations of the wall of the city were having been adorned by every precious stone.  The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.  And the twelve gateways were twelve pearls, through the midst of one each of the gateways were out of one pearl.  And the broad street of the city was pure gold as transparent as glass.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Life is really only worth living if we can have a little fun along the way, right?  I’m not saying that the fun should be the goal, but certainly God created a marvelous word for it to be enjoyed.  Keep this in mind as we look at this section.  John tells us that the length, breadth, and height of this city is all the same!  In other words, Jerusalem is a giant cube if we take this passage literally!  (I can’t help but think about a Borg Cube from the sci-fi show Star Trek: The Next Generation.)  I personally think that this is a huge symbolic point.  The city of Jerusalem has three dimension, all of which are equal.  God Himself has three persons, all of whom are equal in the same being.  I believe that John is trying to give us a symbol to understand that God permeates New Jerusalem, especially since we saw yesterday that this New Jerusalem is itself a symbol of the people of God.

Can you see the symbol as it is presented her by John?  What does a symbolic point such as this show us about the creativity of God?  What does it show us about His ability to conceptualize ideas on many different levels without hesitation?

Second Thought:

There is another possibility as to why the city could be presented as a cube.  If you look back into the Old Testament when the regulations were being given to Moses regarding the creation of the Tabernacle, you find that many of the implements were perfect cubes.  The altar of burnt offerings, the altar of incenses, and the high-priest’s breastplate are all cubes.  In fact, even the Holy of Holies in the Temple was a perfect cube!  What does this tell us?  Remember how important the altar was with respect to righteousness?  Remember how important and pure the Holy of Holies was?  God could easily be reminding us that Jerusalem is to be His ultimate holy place.  Jerusalem is forever to be to God what the Holy of Holies was to Him in the Old Testament.  Jerusalem is the place bought out of sacrifice where all of His priests can go and commune with Him.

What does this less symbolic passage teach you about God?  Do you think either of these interpretations is wrong?  Do they conflict with one another?

Third Thought:

As we look to the precious gemstones as they are relayed in this passage, there is something really neat and symbolic that comes out of this reading if we don’t take it too literally.  In the ancient world, the people believed very much in what we call the Zodiac today.  Here is how the ancient people conceived the Zodiac:

Aries (The Ram) is amethyst, the Taurus (The Bull) is jacinth, Gemini (The Twins) is chrysoprase, Cancer (The Crab) is topaz, Leo (The Lion) is beryl, Virgo (The Virgin) is chrysolite, Libra (The Scales) is carnelian, Scorpio (The Scorpion) is sardonyx, Sagittarius (The Centaur/Archer) is emerald, Capricorn (The Goat) is chalcedony, Aquarius (The Water Carrier) is sapphire, and Pisces (The Fish) is jasper.

No, I’m not arguing that God has intentionally connected Himself to the Zodiac.  In fact, I’m actually saying the exact opposite.  In the ancient world, people believed that the way that you undo mystical power is to perform the mystical power backwards.  Do you notice something about the Zodiac?  Not only are all of the stones the same, they are presented in the exact opposite order!  I believe that what we have here is another symbolic message.  God is telling us that He is far superior to the other gods of the people.  God is telling us that He can undo the power of the other things that people call gods.  He is supreme.  His power rules over everything, even the gods of other people.  These gemstones are a symbolic proclamation to the supremacy of God!

Do you live as though God is supreme?  Do you live believing that God can undo any evil in the world?  How can your life be a witness to the fact that God can undo anything that works against His power?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 21:22-27